Taysom Hill's Unconventional Climb Making Saints A Greater Threat

Dec 14, 2018

(AP)Saints third-string quarterback Taysom Hillnever envisioned launching his body across the path of a puntedball when he arrived in New Orleans last season to serve as anunderstudy to record-setting passer Drew Brees.

Yet his momentum-changing blocked punt in last week's comebackvictory at Tampa Bay became just his latest highlight that hasnothing to do with dropping back from the line of scrimmage andthrowing a football.

It has become increasingly apparent this season that the 6-foot-2,220-pound Hill has the potential to become the NFL's ultimateutility player. And if doing so improves theSaints' Super Bowl odds, Hill's game.

''Standing on the sideline with a hat on and a clip board and asweat shirt is not as fun as doing what I'm doing,'' Hill said.

The 28-year-old Hill's embrace of his unconventional role comeswith risk, particularly in light of his background. He had majorinjuries in four of his five seasons at BYU: a knee injury, a bonefracture in his leg, a foot fracture and a hyper-extended elbow.

But at this point, Hill doesn't see himself playing special teamsthroughout his career.

''I thought that I would come in and develop as a quarterback andhave the opportunity to compete to play at quarterback,'' Hillsaid. ''That's what I'm still hopeful for.''

In the meantime, Hill has made a value judgment. He loves playing,so he's willing to make his skill set available in ways he mightnot have previously considered.

''I'm grateful that the coaches here had a vision for me and thencreated opportunities,'' Hill said. ''That's unique and I'mgrateful for the coaching staff here that had a vision, but thenthey took a chance, right? Because if things don't go well, theylook silly.''

Instead, Hill has already made enough plays on special teams thatSaints coach Sean Payton figures Hill, if he wanted to, could makea sustained NFL career out of doing just that, much like SteveTasker did with Buffalo or Fred McAfee did in New Orleans.

''Yet, the difference is, I think he can be a quarterback. I thinkthat's the plan,'' Payton said. ''The plus is he has thatathleticism, size, and speed. He can do a lot of things.

''He has very good savvy,'' Payton continued. ''He's catching. He'srushing. He's tackling. He's running. He's throwing. I mean, he'sjust a good football player.''

Hill has five special teams tackles this season. He's returned akickoff for 47 yards and helped convert two fake punts into firstdowns as an upback, one running and one throwing. He has even linedup at tight end.

At times, Payton inserts Hill at quarterback in place of Brees forread-option runs, one of which went for a 1-yard touchdown. Hillalso completed a 44-yard pass to Michael Thomas at Minnesota.

Hill said that if he does get his shot to play quarterback moreregularly, he wants to be more of a traditional passer, albeit onewho can run when prudent.

''I'd much rather throw for a touchdown than run for one,'' Hillsaid. ''But I think there are elements of my game that make itdifficult on a defense and I think it would be dumb not to takeadvantage of that.''

In high school in Idaho, Hill was a standout football player andbasketball player. On the court, his size, strength and jumpingability - he can dunk - led coaches to play him at power forward.He was a strong rebounder, and with his background as aquarterback, had little trouble passing out of double-teams.

He had small college basketball offers but initially committed toplay football at Stanford before deciding that BYU would suit himbetter after he completed a Mormon mission.

He began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent with Green Baylast season. When he was waived at the end of training camp, Paytonsigned Hill to New Orleans' active roster. Late last season, theSaints dabbled with putting Hill on special teams to make use ofhis athleticism, and he quickly started being the first down thefield and making tackles.

''He's so good at it you're not going to have him just sittingthere holding the clipboard,''Saints quarterbacks coach JoeLombardi said. ''He's got to go play.''

Running back Alvin Kamara said Hill has earned respect across theSaints' locker room.

''He does it all. He's a tough player,'' Kamara said. ''A lot ofthings he does, that's not things that one person does. You usuallyget a couple of people to do all the things he does.''

In New Orleans, Hill has captured the imagination of many fans. TheSuperdome crowd rumbles with anticipation when he takes the field.

''Obviously, I'm blessed athletically to create opportunities likethis, but I think the moral of my story that can relate to anyoneis you can overcome a lot in life if you're willing to spend thetime, energy and effort,'' Hill began.

And then there's the part about being adventurous enough to seizeunanticipated opportunities.

''That comes from doing something you really love, right? And Ilove football,'' Hill said. ''I love competing and that's why itwas an easy answer for me when they asked me to do differentthings. So if you're doing something you love, you might experiencesetbacks, but overall you're going to be willing to work atwhatever it is or adjust on the fly to whatever situation comesup.''